Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.

Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
12th-Annual Welcome Home Luncheon
May 21 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
UNCA's Kimmel Arena

Homeward Bound invites you and your guests to join us for our 12th-Annual Welcome Home Luncheon, presented by Biltmore, to inspire, inform and raise funds to end homelessness in Buncombe County.

 

We firmly believe housing is a fundamental human right—one that is essential to foster healing and nurture self-worth and dignity. At this year’s Luncheon, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about our vital work, hear inspiring stories of transformation, and discover how you can contribute to our mission.

 

We will delve into the comprehensive range of services we provide to combat homelessness and provide housing to our community members, including the cornerstones of our success: the AHope Day Center and Outreach Services;

Permanent Supportive Housing, including at Compass Point Village and Key Commons; Supportive Services for Veteran Families; Rapid Rehousing; Landlord Partnership Program; and our Welcome Home Donation Center.

 

Your presence at this event would mean a great deal to us as we continue to strive towards creating a community where everyone has their own place to call home

THANK YOU NIGHT service industry friends
May 21 @ 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm
DSSOLVR

Join us every Tuesday for some sweet sweet deals as a way for us to thank you and all of our fellow service industry friends!

Baby Story Time
May 21 @ 3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Weaverville Public Library

Join us for a lively language enrichment story time designed for children ages 4 to 18 months.

Intimate bar: Wine + Roses Opens
May 21 @ 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Zelda Dearest Hotel

Asheville’s Zelda Dearest. Intimate wine bar Wine & Roses officially opened its doors in the boutique hotel today.

The parlour bar features a curated beer and wine selection, craft cocktails, and a design and vibe inspired by the hotel’s namesake, Zelda Fitzgerald. A small menu of decadent bites will debut later this summer.

Wine & Roses is open to guests Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and to the public Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 10pm. 

With a curated beer and wine selection, craft cocktails, and air of sophistication, Wine & Roses offers a peek into the
captivating personality of the hotel’s namesake, Zelda Fitzgerald.
Designed by Hatteras Sky and with interiors by Nashville-based firm, Anderson Design Studio,
Wine & Roses is tucked within a thoughtfully restored turn-of-the-century mansion in Asheville’s
South Slope neighborhood. Wine & Roses is inspired by the clandestine meetings that first
ignited their whirlwind courtship, leaving Zelda wistfully nostalgic and furiously imaginative in her
writing and artistry. The space exudes warmth with golden hues, dim lighting, and lush velvet
accents. Always topped with fresh roses, the eight-seat bar at Wine & Roses sits under
glimmering chandeliers and overlooks a portrait of Zelda herself. Additional seating for up to 21
guests is spread throughout the bar area. A dreamy outdoor patio boasts two roaring fire pits
and 24 additional seats for those who choose to indulge al fresco.
Wine & Roses serves craft cocktails like The Sayre (Monkey 47, lemon, orange blossom, egg
white, and orange bitters), The Fitz (Four Roses, demerara simple syrup, angostura bitters,
orange, and luxardo cherry), and the Gilded Girl (Casamigos Reposado, orange curacao,
apricot juice, and lime juice), and a curated selection of local beers and wines by the glass. A
small menu of decadent bites will debut later this summer.
Wine & Roses is open to guests Sunday through Thursday from 4pm to 8pm, and to the public
Friday and Saturday nights from 4pm to 10pm. For additional information about Wine & Roses,
to book a private event, or to reserve a seat at the bar, call Zelda Dearest at 828.514.2489, visit
zeldadearest.com, or follow @zeldadearest on Instagram.

Kids Deserve Justice RESCHEDULED May 21
May 21 @ 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Rabbit Rabbit

Make a difference in the lives of local children! Join Pisgah Legal Services at Rabbit Rabbit in downtown Asheville for an evening of live music, featuring Jane Kramer and the band Rooster. Take part in family-friendly fun, a silent auction and more at this outdoor event for all ages. By participating, you contribute to our Children’s Law Program which provides crucial support to kids in our communities.

Pisgah Legal Services is a nonprofit providing free civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy, and access to health care to people with low incomes in Western North Carolina. Kids Deserve Justice supports our Children’s Law Program, which helps disadvantaged children avoid unsafe housing conditions and homelessness, access essential services such as medical care, and escape abuse. Legal intervention can stop an immediate crisis and improve local children’s long-term futures.

In 2023, we served over 23,000 people—more than 7,000 of them children—across the WNC mountain region.

Tickets are $25/person in advance, $30 at the door. Kids age 12 and under get in FREE. Tickets include event admission and 1 complimentary drink ticket.

Buncombe County Five-Year Strategic Plan Community Input Session
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Sandy Mush Community Center

In July 2019, Buncombe County began constructing its first five-year strategic plan. Now, the County looks to build on that momentum with updated focus areas and goals for its next five-year strategic plan, mapping out the path forward through 2030.

Community members are invited to take part in mobile sessions, 30-minute meetings, and focused one-hour sessions. Input gathered during these opportunities will be provided to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, who will in turn use that input to generate measurable goals. This fall, community members will have an opportunity to provide feedback on draft goals, ensuring the final plan represents the community’s vision for Buncombe County through 2030.

  •  30-minute session during regular community meeting
Dance The Night Away: Carolina Shag Dance hosted by Karen + Roger
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Tryon Fine Arts Center Pavilion

After the success of the Carolina Shag Dance Class last month, Tryon Fine Arts Center wants to keep the energy and fun flowing.

 

Karen Workman and Roger Carr will host a Carolina Shag Dance on May 21 from 6-8 pm in the TFAC Pavilion. The dance is open to anyone.

 

If you’re looking for a fun evening of dancing, meeting new/old friends, and having the feel of sand between your toes with some of the most fun music ever recorded in the Carolinas, then you’ll want to join us!

Energy Efficiency Among Buncombe County Breweries
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wicked Weed Fuckatorium

Buncombe County has partnered with other organizations in the region in a study that looks at energy efficiency among one of the area’s most notable industries.

The Asheville-Buncombe Sustainable Microbrewery Initiative provides valuable findings regarding the local brewery industry and how beer-making operations can be made more energy-efficient.

This initiative, a project of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Advance Program, is a collaboration between the Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency, UNC Asheville, Land of Sky Waste Reduction Partners, EPA Region 4, and four local microbreweries: Cellarest Beer Project, Hi-Wire Brewing, River Arts District Brewing, and Wicked Weed Brewing. The Advance Program supports states, tribes, and local governments that want to take proactive steps to keep their air clean by promoting local actions to reduce air pollution.

The research project was led by Ava Ingle, an Environmental Studies student at UNC Asheville, who used the Energy Star checklist from the EPA to analyze the potential impact that energy efficiency improvements would bring to craft breweries.

After evaluating the historical energy consumption of these breweries and determining energy efficiency opportunities, the study found that the most potential savings were in refrigeration and steam generation systems. The study found that reducing energy consumption can result in reduced fossil fuel emissions as well as potential energy bill savings for breweries.

With these energy-efficiency suggestions, 309,336 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions could be avoided each year and the breweries could save a combined $25,827 in utility costs a year.

Potential savings highlighted in the study for each brewery per year on average include:

  • 69,084 kWh of electricity
  • 5,248 Therms of natural gas

This study, and the voluntary participation of these four breweries, show a commitment to sustainability in the region. While breweries in the region are important to the region’s economy, they potentially employ energy-intensive processes that require high fossil fuel consumption.

“Discovering energy efficiency opportunities within Asheville’s craft brewing industry allowed the determination of potential environmental and economic impacts of energy efficiency improvements made within a brewery,” the study stated.

In the future, it is recommended that breweries continue to identify opportunities to save energy as part of a constant improvement mindset and that other breweries that want to prioritize energy efficiency use the Energy Star Treasure Hunt tool and consider taking the Energy Star Challenge by pledging to reduce their energy intensity by 10% within 5 years. Companies that meet the goal can submit data and receive additional recognition from the US EPA.

Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency and partners would like to thank the four breweries for their participation and commitment and encourage other breweries to look at their operations to find changes they can make to be more energy-efficient. UNC Asheville and Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency are interested in continuing this work advancing sustainable breweries as part of an annual summer internship.

A reception to recognize the four participating breweries will be held on May 21 at 6 p.m. during Asheville Beer Week, with support from the Asheville Brewers Alliance, Big Mountain Impact, Blue Horizons Project, Duke Energy, Sugar Hollow Solar, and Wicked Weed Brewing.

This is a free event, and all are welcome. Please RSVP here by May 12 to attend and receive a free drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres.

Poetry Night
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Oak and Grist Distilling Company

 

Come on by for night of spoken word presented by Dark City Poets Society at Oak and Grist Distilling Company. Everyone is welcome to share a few poems or just sit back and drink for a good cause.

The event is free and $1 from every classic cocktail will be donated to Friends of the Black Mountain Library.

gn-ups to share will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the event. We look forward to seeing you there!

Can’t make it to this one? This event happens the third tuesday of every month!

Shine On: The Illuminating World of Fireflies
May 21 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Black Mountain Library

Fireflies are known for their magnificent flashes that fill our summer nights with magic. Come join WCU firefly expert Sara Rivera in learning all about these fabulous bioluminescent beetles. How do they glow, and are there any that don’t glow? How do they help with medical research? What special kinds can we find in our own backyards? The world of fireflies is full of trickery, romance, and awe, so join us as we illuminate the mysteries of these amazing insects! Join firefly expert Sara Rivera with THEM in STEM for a fascinating look at our native fireflies.

Fun for all ages. Sponsored by the Friends of the Black Mountain Library.

Online Book Club from the Library: Bookmarked
May 21 @ 7:00 pm
online

 

Buncombe County has an online book club called Bookmarked that meets on Zoom on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 7 p.m.

Each month Bookmarked will read a title of popular fiction selected by the club. The online book discussion is hosted by one of our librarians.  Copies of the selected books are available at the Fairview Library and you can request any of the books to be sent to your favorite library for pickup. Most selections can be downloaded as an eBook or audiobook from the North Carolina Digital Library. No need to leave your house on a cold winter day – you can share books with other interested readers in your pajamas from your own couch. Read along with us to discover new titles you may not have bookmarked on your own.

You can join Bookmarked any time by emailing prior to any meeting. This book club (and all library events) are listed on the library calendar.

Upcoming Bookmarked Selections

  • Jan. 16 – Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
  • Feb. 20 – People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
  • March 19 – The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
  • April 16 – The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
  • May 21 – We Measure the Earth With Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzoma Lama

Interested in other library book clubs? Join us at Pack Library on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. for our annual Book Club Fair. This program will feature short presentations from representatives from a dozen local book clubs and some time to chat. Find the book club that best fits your interests and schedule.

Virtual Writers Workshop Greg Lobas
May 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
online

Greg Lobas will lead a virtual writer’s workshop titled: “Writing Your Life into Poetry.”

“Write what you know” is one of the first and best maxims for the aspiring writer. But what if “what you know” is ordinary, even mundane? This workshop will look at ways to mine the gold that is in everyone’s life and turn it into poetry. It may take some digging. It may take a little change in perspective. But it is there, and it is material only you can use. We will focus on the narrative poem as a means of story-telling but will consider the lyric poem as well.

This workshop is open to writers of all skill levels and is a fun way to find inspiration from a new prompt or revise current work. It is hosted by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara and will Zoom for the virtual connection. Sign up to attend the workshop at workshop here:

Greg Lobas has been published extensively as both an outdoor writer and a poet. His debut book, Left of Center, won the 2022 Dogfish Head Poetry Prize, and placed second in the Delaware State Press Association awards. The book deals with his real life experiences as a fire captain and paramedic. His poems have been published in many journals. He is an experienced poetry workshop facilitator at Isothermal Community College.
Greg lives with his wife Meg and his dog Sophie in Polk County North Carolina.

Phosphorescent Revelator Tour
May 21 @ 8:00 pm
The Orange Peel
All Ages – under 12 requires venue approval
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
 AVL Beer Week
May 22 all-day
Asheville Area

 AVL Beer Week!

2024 Beer Week Craft & Creativity

AVL Beer Week 2024 will be an exciting opportunity to celebrate the beautiful Asheville area. Expect old favorites like beer tastings, craft beverage dinner pairings, and panel discussions along with new local philanthropy opportunities. This year’s events will emphasize arts, craft, and creativity within Asheville and the ever-evolving beverage industry. We are also bringing back the Craft Beverage Expo and adding educational seminars from our partners at the NC Craft Brewers Guild and a Tasting Experience. The Expo will be open to industry partners and the general public.

Western North Carolina is rich with exceptional craft beer, innovative artists, original music, and delectable food. Experience it all this AVL Beer Week.

In a quest to minimize valuable resource consumption, reduce our carbon footprint, promote responsible user behavior, and reduce harm to our planet – AVL Beer Week is committed to sustainability. DOWNLOAD THE APP or visit DIGLOCAL.COM on your desktop.

Where to Stay for AVL Beer Week

Craft Beverage Expo & Tasting Experience Hotel Sponsors

BOOK YOUR CORPORATE RATE WITH HAYWOOD PARK HOTEL
(includes complimentary valet parking)

BOOK YOUR CORPORATE RATE WITH CAMBRIA
(includes complimentary valet parking)

Bronze Craft Master Hotel Sponsor

BOOK YOUR CORPORATE RATE FOR AVL BEER WEEK WITH ALOFT HOTEL

Six Pack Sponsor

FLAT IRON HOTEL- ASHEVILLE BEER WEEK- 20% OFF BOOKING LINK
(valet for $30 per day or there is the self-park option at the Wall St. garage at $20/day)

In-Kind Hotel Sponsors

CANDLEWOOD SUITES ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN
(Free parking)

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN
(Self-parking: $25.00 per day Valet parking: $25.00)

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN (BREAKFAST INCLUDED)
(Valet only $30 per day)

HAMPTON INN ASHEVILLE – TUNNEL ROAD
(Free Parking)

HILTON GARDEN INN ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN
(Parking is $15 per day)

HOLIDAY INN ASHEVILLE – BILTMORE WEST
(Complimentary Parking)

HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON ASHEVILLE
(Breakfast Included)

THE RADICAL Rate Code: BEERWEEK
(Overnight valet parking is $25 and daily use is $10 with limited complimentary street parking.)

THE RESTORATION ASHEVILLE
(Self-parking is available through city garages adjacent to the property; rates vary by location. Valet is available at a rate of $28 per vehicle, per night. Valet spaces are limited in availability and are provided on a first come, first serve basis.)

ARTS Day 2024 North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art + Action
May 22 all-day
Raleigh NC

May 21, 2024 – Conference Day at the McKimmon Center, Raleigh

May 22, 2024 = Legislative Day at the NC General Assembly, Raleigh

ARTS Day is a gathering of artists and arts leaders from across the state to convene as peers and prepare for action, then meet with their elected representatives at the NC General Assembly to deliver a message about the ARTS that is simple, inclusive, and positive. But ARTS Day is more than a collection of speakers and meetings with lawmakers, it is the annual culmination of a movement. The mission of Arts NC is to unite people and communities to strengthen and celebrate a creative North Carolina, an idea that is embodied in our annual two-day conference.

🎟️

Tickets on sale now!

ARTS Day is NC’s annual gathering of art and action, bringing together hundreds of arts leaders from across the state to learn, network, celebrate, and speak with one voice on behalf of the arts.

ArtsAVL serves as the County Captain for Buncombe County and leads our county delegation. Interested in joining us?

ARTS Day–North Carolina’s Annual Conference of Art + Action
May 22 all-day
Raleigh NC

ARTS Day is a gathering of artists and arts leaders from across the state to convene as peers and prepare for action, then meet with their elected representatives at the NC General Assembly to deliver a message about the ARTS that is simple, inclusive, and positive. But ARTS Day is more than a collection of speakers and meetings with lawmakers, it is the annual culmination of a movement. The mission of Arts NC is to unite people and communities to strengthen and celebrate a creative North Carolina, an idea that is embodied in our annual two-day conference.

ASAP: How Does Western North Carolina Shop for Food SURVEY
May 22 all-day
online

ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) has released a survey to learn more about how people in Western North Carolina shop for food and why they choose the food they do. The survey, part of a three-year project by ASAP’s Local Food Research Center, is for any resident of Western North Carolina over the age of 18, no matter where or how they shop for food. It can be completed online at surveymonkey.com/r/WNCFoodASAP or over the phone by calling ASAP at 828-236-1282. It should take approximately 8 to 12 minutes to complete and will be open through Oct. 31, 2024. Respondents are encouraged to share the survey widely with families, friends, and co-workers.

 

“By completing this survey, you are helping local farmers understand and connect with consumers,” said Amy Marion, ASAP Associate Director and lead researcher. “The challenges of our food system are constantly evolving. Improving it requires active participation from all community members. With this research we can better understand consumer values and the barriers they face, and help farmers and food producers improve communications with their customers and their communities.”

 

The survey is part of a three-year research project, “Connections in Direct Markets: Assessing the feedback loop between consumer values and farmers’ marketing strategies,” which will examine and improve communication and alignment between farmers and consumers in Western North Carolina. The research phase will also employ consumer focus groups, farmer interviews and case studies, and more targeted surveying. The broad consumer survey provides an update to the last consumer survey conducted by the Local Food Research Center in 2014. Results from the current research project will be shared in 2025.

 

ASAP founded the Local Food Research Center in 2011 to study the economic, environmental, and social impacts of localizing food systems. From its inception, ASAP’s programs and services have been grounded in research and evaluation, adjusting based on a strong feedback loop and observation of current conditions in the food system.

 

This project is supported in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2022-38640-37488 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number LS23-382. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

Auditions for “The Prom”
May 22 all-day
Asheville Performing Arts Academy

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy
Presents

The Prom

The Asheville Performing Arts Academy is excited to produce our first full-length summer production The Prom. Rehearsals will take place over the summer with the show going up in September. All students in rising 8-12 are invited to audition to be part of the cast and crew.


2024 Performances

  • Friday, September 27 at 7:00pm
  • Saturday, September 28 at 7:00pm
  • Saturday, September 28 at 2:00pm
  • Sunday, September 29 at 2:00pm

Summary

  • Rehearsals: Mondays & Thursdays 6-8pm (Starts June 17, 2024) (and Saturdays in September)
  • Performances: September 27-29, 2024
  • Audition Videos Due: June 1, 2024
  • Callbacks: June 8, 2024
  • Cast list Announced: June 15, 2024
  • Ages: Rising 8th grade and High School Only
  • Price: $450
  • Audition Material: Any song and monologue from a musical allowed.
BREWERY TOURS
May 22 all-day
Sierra Nevada Brewing

Whether you’re just getting into craft beer or we’re on your brewery bucket list, a Mills River tour is for you — so we recommend you reserve a spot! Our interactive tours offer everything from hop handling to nature hikes to — what you really came for — beer sampling.

Space on each tour is limited, and reservations are strongly encouraged. Make yours below. Looking to book a private tour? Fill out the private tour form, and we’ll get it organized. See you soon!

Call for Grant Panelists
May 22 all-day
online

GRANT SELECTION PANELS

ArtsAVL seeks reliable community members knowledgeable about Buncombe County’s arts and cultural organizations, local arts resources, and arts needs to volunteer to serve on ArtsAVL grant review panels.

ArtsAVL has 5 grant programs each fiscal year (July 1-June 30), with grant panels occurring throughout the year. Participating as a grant review panelist is a 2-4 week commitment depending on the number of applications submitted in the grant category. Applications vary based on grant program, and can range from 20-50 applications.

Panelists work with ArtsAVL staff and other panelists to evaluate grant applications, ensuring an equitable, transparent, and thorough review and ranking process. Panelists are offered a modest honorarium for their service and will be provided with detailed instructions and guidelines for review and scoring. Sufficient time is allocated for application review and scoring prior to a panelist meeting (either virtual or in person) to review scoring with ArtsAVL staff and make final recommendations.

Please note: All panelists will be required to disclose any connections to applicants and will have to recuse themselves from decisions around grant funding to those applicants. However, this does not prevent panelists from reviewing other applicants. Panelists must be 18+ and live or work in Buncombe County.

Call to artists: public art enhancements of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail
May 22 all-day
online

Artist Qualification Application

Explore Asheville, River Front Development Group, and the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail (BCHT) Advisory Committee seek artists to submit qualifications for consideration for public art enhancements of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. Public art is art utilizing any media such as murals or sculptures in public spaces that are free and open to the public.

Project Background

In 2018 Explore Asheville, powered by the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, supported the creation of the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage trail in partnership with River Front Development Group through a Tourism Product Development Fund Grant. The process included community engagement, the creation of an advisory committee, research, design, installation, and the creation of a digital version of the trail.

Twenty-one signs at 14 sites throughout downtown, Southside, and the River Area in Asheville were installed December 2023. The content of the trail informs the physical path that the trail takes through the historically Black neighborhoods that surround and include downtown Asheville. The four interpretive goals for this project are:

  • Share the accomplishments and contributions of the Black community in Asheville.
  • Celebrate individuals and groups that supported the community.
  • Highlight Black people’s agency and the capacity to express individual power.
  • Combat or correct misconceptions and preserve history for future generations.

Phase II of the project will include enhancement and placemaking through public art.

Artist Eligibility

Explore Asheville invites applications from professional artists or designers aged 18 or older who are eligible to work in the United States. Qualified artists should have experience working within communities in or around Buncombe County and/or a proven record of accomplishment using materials and methods appropriate for large format outdoor art installations. Explore Asheville encourages artists who only have one qualification to partner with an artist or maker who can fulfill the other qualifications. New artists and/or collaboration are encouraged. This call for qualifications is open to all, regardless of experience or size of portfolio.

Catalyst for Change: Volunteer for a Buncombe County Committee
May 22 all-day
online w /Buncombe County

Your voice matters, help shape a brighter tomorrow by joining one of our committees.

Early Childhood Committee:

The Early Childhood Education and Development Fund is a major driver in assuring every child in Buncombe County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days. The focus of this initiative is to increase access to quality, affordable early childhood education. As such, Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Committee, featuring 15 total members including 3 County Commissioners, was established to guide how the fund is invested. The purpose of the committee is to engage with community partners, solicit public input, and make policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. This committee typically meets monthly, on the 1st Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 pm.

We have multiple vacancies on this committee for a 2-year term beginning 7/1/2024. We are seeking:

  • one (1) business community or economic development professional
  • one (1) funder or community investment professional
  • one (1) pediatrician or medical professional in service to young children
  • one (1) professor or higher education professional
  • one (1) member of the public representing the community at large

Strategic Partnership Grant Committee:

The purpose of the Committee is to make Strategic Partnership Grant investment recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for Buncombe County. Strategic Partnership Grant funding is granted to nonprofit organizations working toward outcomes in alignment with County Commissioner goals. The committee generally meets the first Thursday of every month from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, with special meetings as needed.

We have one vacancy on this committee for a 3-year term beginning 7/1/2024. We are seeking members that bring expertise in one or more Strategic Plan Focus Areas (education, environment, well-being, economy) and represent the diversity of the County. Applicants should not have any conflicts of interest with nonprofits applying for Strategic Partnership Grants, to include not currently serving on the Board of Directors or staff of an applicant organization.

More information about both programs is available at www.buncombecounty.org/grants.

If you have any questions about these opportunities, please contact Angelyn Johnson ([email protected]) or Sara Joss ([email protected]).

Apply online: https://boardapplications.buncombecounty.org/

CYCLE 1 Art Collective Debut Reception
May 22 all-day
The Radical Third Floor Art Gallery

The Radical will be hosting the debut reception for CYCLE 1, the inaugural art show at The Radical Hotel’s third-floor art gallery. The opening reception for CYCLE 1 will be located in the gallery outside Golden Hour, and wine will be provided.

The show will be on display for three months, featuring works from friends of the brand and artists in the River Arts District including Colton Mitchell Dion, Stephen Louis Lange, Rebecca Harnish, Ignacio Michaud, Elizabeth Porritt Carrington, Shela Anmuth, Shannon Owens, Kevin Andrew, Debbie Michaelson, Molly Sawyer, Dan Reid, Olivia Gamboa, Stacy Kraft, Emery and Belle Epoque. Some participating artists will be in attendance during the opening event.

Digital: ASAP’s 2024–25 Local Food Guide
May 22 all-day
online w/ ASAP

ASAP’s Local Food Guide, the annual free publication for finding local food and farms, is updated for the 2024–25 season. This definitive resource lists hundreds of Appalachian GrownTM certified farms, farmers markets, restaurants, groceries, artisan producers, and more throughout Western North Carolina and surrounding counties in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A digital version of the print Guide may be viewed at asapconnections.org/guide.

 

In addition to listing content, the 2024–25 edition features stories that highlight the variety of farming across the region. Delia Jovel Dubón of Tierra Fértil Coop (pictured on the cover) talks about creating a sense of belonging for the Hispanic immigrant community in Henderson County. Lyric and Noah East of Wild East Farm in McDowell County detail the journey through their first full year of farming and how they’ve arrived at “a rough draft that’s working.” Kaci Nidiffer of The Liar’s Table in Avery County shares how scaling up and opening several retail spaces have created stronger connections with customers and community. Rounding out the issue are recipes from farmers at Two Trees Farm (Sustainabillies), Lee’s One Fortune Farm, Two Stones Farm + Mill, Carringer Farms, and Terra Lingua Growers.

 

“The Local Food Guide is such a beautiful way to share the stories of this place,” said Sarah Hart, ASAP’s Communications and Engagement Director. “To emphasize that sense of place, listings in this year’s Guide are organized into nine subregions with a short intro on what makes local farms in each area unique.”

 

Look for the Guide at farmers markets, visitors centers, libraries, groceries, restaurants, and other partner businesses throughout the region. Copies of the Guide are also available to pick up in the lobby of ASAP’s office in Asheville at 306 W. Haywood St., Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact ASAP if you need help locating a copy in your area or if you are interested in distributing Guides at your business.

 

In addition to the print Guide, ASAP maintains the online Local Food Guide at appalachiangrown.org. This database, with more than 1,400 listings, is updated throughout the year and is searchable by products, location, activities, and more.

 

Funding for the Local Food Guide was made possible in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Agricultural Marketing Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Beginning Farmer Rancher Development Program, Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, and Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Support was also provided by Dogwood Health Trust, the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, and Asheville Regional Airport.

DIY River + Road Cleanups
May 22 all-day
Asheville Area

Whenever you want!

 

Supplies available at

2 Sulphur Springs Road

If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776.

Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request).

Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information.

Need to know

Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806.

All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup.

Future Organic Growing + Living Programs Survey
May 22 all-day
online w/ Organic Grower School

We want to hear from you about what classes & workshops

you’d be interested in!

We would greatly appreciate if you took a minute out of your day to fill out this quick survey so we can best serve our community through our educational programming.

Grant Center Swimming Pool
May 22 all-day
Grant Center Pool

Swimming Pools

Asheville Parks & Recreation’s public pools provide safe and affordable outdoor summer fun for all ages. For info about pool schedules, please call 828-348-4770 or visit ashevillecitypools.com.

Malvern Hills Park’s 90 year-old outdoor pool will not open this summer. While we were able to keep the facility operational through last summer, the pool can no longer be repaired to safely meet the needs of our community. For more, read this article.

Admission

  • Individual – $3 per session
  • Individual Season Pass – $100
  • Family Season Pass – $150 (up to four individuals)

Locations

Events

  • Asheville Parks & Recreation hosts hundreds of free and low-cost activities, programs, and events each month. Check out the latest program guide.
  • Pools will open Saturday, May 25!

    Dates of Operation:
    Grant Center Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Sunday, August 11th
    Recreation Park Pool: Saturday, May 25th through Monday, September 2nd, weekends only from
    August 12th through September 2nd

    Pools open weekends only until June 10th, with the exception of Monday, May 27!

    Hours of Operation June 10 through August 11:
    Monday through Friday – 12:00pm-6:00pm
    Saturday – 11:00am-6:00pm
    Sunday – 1:00pm-6:00pm

    Cost is $3 per person per day

Haunted History + Murder MYstery Tour
May 22 all-day
Gray Line Trolley Tours of Asheville

Sit back if you dare as we illuminate Asheville’s darkest history with astonishing stories of spirits & spies, ghosts & goblins, hauntings & hoodlums and mountain-made murder & mayhem.

Hear stories of . . .

  The legendary PINK LADY at the Grove Park Inn
  The GHOST of Church Street
  The 1936 UNSOLVED MURDER that shook Asheville
  The CHILD SPIRITS at the haunted hospital
  The architect walled into his own church!
  The KILLING SPREE of 1906
  NAZI AGENTS based in Asheville
  ARSON at hospital that claimed Zelda Fitzgerald

Hey Asheville: City Comedy Tour • Ages 13+ Only
May 22 all-day
LaZoom Room Bar & Gorilla

Come enjoy our most popular Asheville tour!

Duration

1 hour and 30 minutes

About

Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties are not permitted on this tour. The Fender Bender Bus is bachelorette/bachelor friendly!

Historical and hysterical, The Hey Asheville tour features outrageously entertaining tour guides, outlandish comedy skits complete with special appearances and loads of Asheville information. You’ll get to see the best of downtown Asheville and the rarely seen but stunningly beautiful Montford neighborhood, not to mention the burgeoning River Arts District! You’ve never had a ride like this. It’s like a vaudeville show on wheels!

Find out what makes Asheville so unique on LaZoom’s City Comedy Tour. It’s the perfect mix of history, comedy, and entertainment. Our guides are trained professional actors working with an original script. It’s like a theatre on wheels! The tour highlights downtown Asheville, historic neighborhoods, the South Slope, and the River Arts District.

Age Restrictions

13 and up. No exceptions.

Stops

10 minute beer & bathroom break at Green Man Brewery

What’s Included

Guided tour of Asheville on a Purple Bus
Funny actors, fun bits
Actual History about Asheville
Green Man Brewery Stop

What’s Not Included

Beer/Wine (Must be purchased from LaZoom or the Brewery Stop)
Cash! You’ll want to tip the guides for changing your life for the better.

Hop-on/Hop-off SIGHTSEEING TOUR
May 22 all-day
Asheville Area

There is no better way to DISCOVER and EXPLORE Asheville!  Hop-on board one of Gray Line’s nostalgic trolleys for a fully narrated day tour, highlighting the history, homes, hang-outs and hot spots of this “city of surprises.”

Tour Highlights include  .  .  .  Downtown Asheville  |  Montford Historic District  |  The Grove Park Inn and Grove Park Historic District  |  Thomas Wolfe District  |  Pack Square and Asheville Art Museum  |  Grove Arcade  |  River Arts District  |  Biltmore Village

Hop-On and hear the story of a city rich in architecture, history and the arts  . . .

Hop-Off and experience its eclectic shops and galleries; its world class culinary and craft brew scenes.

Tour Duration:  The complete tour (one loop) lasts approximately 90 to 100 minutes.  There is an additional 15 minute stop at the Asheville Visitor Center.  The Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour ticket is valid for TWO consecutive days.

Departure Points: Join the Hop-On/Hop-Off Tour at any of the 10 stops.  If you’re driving in to join the tour, Stop 1, the Asheville Visitor Center may be your best option.  The Visitor Center, located at 36 Montford Ave. just off I-240 at Exit 4C, offers free parking (on a first come-first served basis) and restrooms. The Asheville Visitor Center is the ONLY place to join the Overview Tour.